Note: The information on this page applies to J-1 exchange visitors in the student categories only. If you hold a J-1 visa in a different category (such as a professor, research scholar or short term scholar), please visit the International Scholar Services information pages)
In order to maintatin J-1 status, students must:
Pursue a full course of study
- Minimum Full Time Enrollment Requirements (Fall and Spring)
- Undergraduate Students: 12 credits
- Graduate Students without assistantship: 9 credits
- Graduate Students with assistantship: 6 credits
- Students participating in a bilateral exchange programs may have additional enrollment requirements set by their individual institutions.
- Eligibility for a Reduced Course Load
In a few rare cases, reduced enrollment may be authorized. You must receive written authorization from the International Student Advisor and from your academic advisor before you drop below full time. If you fail to do this, you will be out of status.
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Make normal progress toward completing course of study
- Program End Date
- The program end date listed in Item 3 of your form DS-2019 is the last day you are eligible to pursue your program of study. This date is determined by the university estimate of how long your particular program should take.
- Programs may be extended for legitimate academic or medical reasons. You must file for an extension with the International Student Advisor before the end date listed on your form DS-2019.
- Minimum Academic Requirements
- You must maintain the minimum grade point average (GPA) as indicated in the UND Academic Catalog:
- Undergraduate Students: 2.0 GPA
- Graduate Students: 3.0 GPA
- Individual programs or departments may have higher requirements for remaining in the program.
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Keep your DS-2019 valid
- Extending Program
- The program end date listed in Item 3 of your form DS-2019 is the last day you are eligible to pursue your program of study. This date is determined by the university estimate of how long your particular program should take or by the agreed upon length of your exchange program.
- Programs may be extended for legitimate academic or medical reasons. You must file for an extension with the International Student Advisor before the end date listed on your form DS-2019.
Degree Seeking Students
- Submit current financial support documentation to the International Advisor
- Non-Degree/Exchange Students
- You will need to provide evidence from your home institution and from your UND sponsor confirming an extension of the exchange program
- Non-Degree students may remain in the U.S. in J-1 status for a maximum of 24 months. This includes any periods of Academic Training.
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- Changing Educational Level or Program of Study
- Only degree seeking students are eligible to apply for a change of level within the U.S. Non-degree students may not change level
- J-1 students may only move to a higher educational level
- All changes of degree level will require a new form DS-2019.
- Complete all university requirements for applying for admission to the new program
- Submit new financial certification
- Notify the International Student Advisor as soon as you know that you are planning to move to a new degree program.
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- Undergraduate students who change their major will need a new DS-2019 to show the correct major
- Change your major with the appropriate school or college on campus
- Verify that the change appears correctly in your Campus Connection Record
- Meet with an International Student Advisor to revise your DS-2019
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- Transferring Schools
- If you will be moving to a new U.S. school, then you will need to arrange to have your SEVIS record transferred to the new school. The new school will not be able to issue you a new DS-2019 until your SEVIS record is released from UND.
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- Changes in Financial Situation
- If your source of financial support changes significantly, you should meet with an International Student Advisor to revise the financial information on your DS-2019.
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Report Address Changes
- If you move, you must report your change of address to the International Student Advisor within 10 days of the change. You may notify the International Student Advisor of address changes by email or by completing the Change of Address Form.
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Health Insurance Requirements
- The U.S. Department of State requires J-1 exchange visitors to maintain health insurance that meets minimum requirements for the duration of the exchange visitor program
- Minimum Insurance Requirements
- Medical Benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness
- Repatriation of Remains in the amount of $7500
- Expenses Associated with Medicto Evacuation to the Exchange Visitor's home country in the amount of $10,000
- Deductible that does not exceed $500 per accident or illness
- The NDUS International Student Health Insurance policy meets the requirements of the U.S. Department of State.
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Keep your passport valid
You are required to keep a valid passport at all times. If your passport will be expiring within the next 6 months, you should contact the nearest embassy or consulate for your country to determine the requirements for renewing your passport. You can find the website for your embassy at http://www.embassy.org.
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Employment Eligibility
- On-Campus Employment
- You may work a maximum of 20 hours a week on campus during the school year.
- During winter and summer vacation periods you may work up to 40 hours per week on campus
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- Prior to beginning employment, you will need an employment authorization letter written by the International Student Advisor. Authorization may be granted for a maximum of one year at a time. You will need a new letter each year.
- Off-Campus Employment
- Off campus employment is not allowed except in the following cases:
- Academic Training: Work, training or experience related to your field of study. Certain time limits apply.
- Authorization for unforeseen economic circumstances: Authorization of employment off campus due to "serious, urgent and unforeseen economic circumstances that have arisen since acquiring exchange visitor status.
- All types of off-campus employment require special, advance authorization.
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